第1章

TheSpiderhasabadname:tomostofus，sherepresentsanodious，noxiousanimal，whicheveryonehastenstocrushunderfoot。Againstthissummaryverdicttheobserversetsthebeast’sindustry，itstalentasaweaver，itswilinessinthechase，itstragicnuptialsandothercharacteristicsofgreatinterest。Yes，theSpideriswellworthstudying，apartfromanyscientificreasons；butsheissaidtobepoisonousandthatishercrimeandtheprimarycauseoftherepugnancewherewithsheinspiresus。

Poisonous，Iagree，ifbythatweunderstandthattheanimalisarmedwithtwofangswhichcausetheimmediatedeathofthelittlevictimswhichitcatches；butthereisawidedifferencebetweenkillingaMidgeandharmingaman。Howeverimmediateinitseffectsupontheinsectentangledinthefatalweb，theSpider’spoisonisnotseriousforusandcauseslessinconveniencethanaGnat-bite。That，atleast，iswhatwecansafelysayasregardsthegreatmajorityoftheSpidersofourregions。

Nevertheless，afewaretobefeared；andforemostamongtheseistheMalmignatte，theterroroftheCorsicanpeasantry。Ihaveseenhersettleinthefurrows，layoutherwebandrushboldlyatinsectslargerthanherself；Ihaveadmiredhergarbofblackvelvetspeckledwithcarmine-red；aboveall，Ihaveheardmostdisquietingstoriestoldabouther。AroundAjaccioandBonifacio，herbiteisreputedverydangerous，sometimesmortal。Thecountrymandeclaresthisforafactandthedoctordoesnotalwaysdaredenyit。IntheneighbourhoodofPujaud，notfarfromAvignon，theharvestersspeakwithdreadofTheridionlugubre，{1}

firstobservedbyLeonDufourintheCatalonianmountains；

accordingtothem，herbitewouldleadtoseriousaccidents。TheItalianshavebestowedabadreputationontheTarantula，whoproducesconvulsionsandfrenzieddancesinthepersonstungbyher。Tocopewith’tarantism，’thenamegiventothediseasethatfollowsonthebiteoftheItalianSpider，youmusthaverecoursetomusic，theonlyefficaciousremedy，sotheytellus。Specialtuneshavebeennoted，thosequickesttoaffordrelief。Thereismedicalchoreography，medicalmusic。Andhavewenotthetarentella，alivelyandnimbledance，bequeathedtousperhapsbythehealingartoftheCalabrianpeasant？

Mustwetakethesequeerthingsseriouslyorlaughatthem？FromthelittlethatIhaveseen，Ihesitatetopronounceanopinion。

NothingtellsusthatthebiteoftheTarantulamaynotprovoke，inweakandveryimpressionablepeople，anervousdisorderwhichmusicwillrelieve；nothingtellsusthataprofuseperspiration，resultingfromaveryenergeticdance，isnotlikelytodiminishthediscomfortbydiminishingthecauseoftheailment。Sofarfromlaughing，Ireflectandenquire，whentheCalabrianpeasanttalkstomeofhisTarantula，thePujaudreaperofhisTheridionlugubre，theCorsicanhusbandmanofhisMalmignatte。ThoseSpidersmighteasilydeserve，atleastpartly，theirterriblereputation。

ThemostpowerfulSpiderinmydistrict，theBlack-belliedTarantula，willpresentlygiveussomethingtothinkabout，inthisconnection。Itisnotmybusinesstodiscussamedicalpoint，I

interestmyselfespeciallyinmattersofinstinct；but，asthepoison-fangsplayaleadingpartinthehuntress’manoeuvresofwar，Ishallspeakoftheireffectsbytheway。ThehabitsoftheTarantula，herambushes，herartifices，hermethodsofkillingherprey:theseconstitutemysubject。IwillprefaceitwithanaccountbyLeonDufour，{2}oneofthoseaccountsinwhichIusedtodelightandwhichdidmuchtobringmeintoclosertouchwiththeinsect。TheWizardoftheLandestellsusoftheordinaryTarantula，thatoftheCalabrias，observedbyhiminSpain:

’Lycosatarantulabypreferenceinhabitsopenplaces，dry，arid，uncultivatedplaces，exposedtothesun。Shelivesgenerally——atleastwhenfull-grown——inundergroundpassages，regularburrows，whichshedigsforherself。Theseburrowsarecylindrical；theyareoftenaninchindiameterandrunintothegroundtoadepthofmorethanafoot；buttheyarenotperpendicular。Theinhabitantofthisgutprovesthatsheisatthesametimeaskilfulhunterandanableengineer。Itwasaquestionforhernotonlyofconstructingadeepretreatthatcouldhideherfromthepursuitofherfoes:shealsohadtosetupherobservatorywhencetowatchforherpreyanddartoutuponit。TheTarantulaprovidesforeverycontingency:theundergroundpassage，infact，beginsbybeingvertical，but，atfourorfiveinchesfromthesurface，itbendsatanobtuseangle，formsahorizontalturningandthenbecomesperpendicularoncemore。ItisattheelbowofthistunnelthattheTarantulapostsherselfasavigilantsentryanddoesnotforamomentlosesightofthedoorofherdwelling；itwastherethat，attheperiodwhenIwashuntingher，Iusedtoseethoseeyesgleaminglikediamonds，brightasacat’seyesinthedark。

’TheouterorificeoftheTarantula’sburrowisusuallysurmountedbyashaftconstructedthroughoutbyherself。Itisagenuineworkofarchitecture，standingasmuchasaninchabovethegroundandsometimestwoinchesindiameter，sothatitiswiderthantheburrowitself。Thislastcircumstance，whichseemstohavebeencalculatedbytheindustriousSpider，lendsitselfadmirablytothenecessaryextensionofthelegsatthemomentwhenthepreyistobeseized。Theshaftiscomposedmainlyofbitsofdrywoodjoinedbyalittleclayandsoartisticallylaid，oneabovetheother，thattheyformthescaffoldingofastraightcolumn，theinsideofwhichisahollowcylinder。Thesolidityofthistubularbuilding，ofthisoutwork，isensuredaboveallbythefactthatitislined，upholsteredwithin，withatexturewovenbytheLycosa’s{3}

spinneretsandcontinuedthroughouttheinterioroftheburrow。Itiseasytoimaginehowusefulthiscleverly-manufacturedliningmustbeforpreventinglandsliporwarping，formaintainingcleanlinessandforhelpingherclawstoscalethefortress。

’Ihintedthatthisoutworkoftheburrowwasnotthereinvariably；

asamatteroffact，IhaveoftencomeacrossTarantulas’holeswithoutatraceofit，perhapsbecauseithadbeenaccidentallydestroyedbytheweather，orbecausetheLycosamaynotalwayslightupontheproperbuilding-materials，or，lastly，becausearchitecturaltalentispossiblydeclaredonlyinindividualsthathavereachedthefinalstage，theperiodofperfectionoftheirphysicalandintellectualdevelopment。

’Onethingiscertain，thatIhavehadnumerousopportunitiesofseeingtheseshafts，theseout-worksoftheTarantula’sabode；theyremindme，onalargerscale，ofthetubesofcertainCaddis-worms。

TheArachnidhadmorethanoneobjectinviewinconstructingthem:

shesheltersherretreatfromthefloods；sheprotectsitfromthefallofforeignbodieswhich，sweptbythewind，mightendbyobstructingit；lastly，sheusesitasasnarebyofferingtheFliesandotherinsectswhereonshefeedsaprojectingpointtosettleon。Whoshalltellusallthewilesemployedbythiscleveranddaringhuntress？

’LetusnowsaysomethingaboutmyratherdivertingTarantula-

hunts。ThebestseasonforthemisthemonthsofMayandJune。

ThefirsttimethatIlightedonthisSpider’sburrowsanddiscoveredthattheywereinhabitedbyseeinghercometoapointonthefirstfloorofherdwelling——theelbowwhichIhavementioned——IthoughtthatImustattackherbymainforceandpursueherrelentlesslyinordertocaptureher；Ispentwholehoursinopeningupthetrenchwithaknifeafootlongbytwoincheswide，withoutmeetingtheTarantula。Irenewedtheoperationinotherburrows，alwayswiththesamewantofsuccess；I

reallywantedapickaxetoachievemyobject，butIwastoofarfromanykindofhouse。IwasobligedtochangemyplanofattackandIresortedtocraft。Necessity，theysay，isthemotherofinvention。

’Itoccurredtometotakeastalk，toppedwithitsspikelet，bywayofabait，andtorubandmoveitgentlyattheorificeoftheburrow。IsoonsawthattheLycosa’sattentionanddesireswereroused。Attractedbythebait，shecamewithmeasuredstepstowardsthespikelet。Iwithdrewitingoodtimealittleoutsidethehole，soasnottoleavetheanimaltimeforreflexion；andtheSpidersuddenly，witharush，dartedoutofherdwelling，ofwhichIhastenedtoclosetheentrance。TheTarantula，bewilderedbyherunaccustomedliberty，wasveryawkwardinevadingmyattemptsatcapture；andIcompelledhertoenterapaperbag，whichIclosedwithoutdelay。

’Sometimes，suspectingthetrap，orperhapslesspressedbyhunger，shewouldremaincoyandmotionless，ataslightdistancefromthethreshold，whichshedidnotthinkitopportunetocross。Herpatienceoutlastedmine。Inthatcase，Iemployedthefollowingtactics:aftermakingsureoftheLycosa’spositionandthedirectionofthetunnel，Idroveaknifeintoitontheslant，soastotaketheanimalintherearandcutoffitsretreatbystoppinguptheburrow。Iseldomfailedinmyattempt，especiallyinsoilthatwasnotstony。Inthesecriticalcircumstances，eithertheTarantulatookfrightanddesertedherlairfortheopen，orelseshestubbornlyremainedwithherbacktotheblade。

Iwouldthengiveasuddenjerktotheknife，whichflungboththeearthandtheLycosatoadistance，enablingmetocaptureher。Byemployingthishunting-method，IsometimescaughtasmanyasfifteenTarantulaewithinthespaceofanhour。

’Inafewcases，inwhichtheTarantulawasundernomisapprehensionastothetrapwhichIwassettingforher，Iwasnotalittlesurprised，whenIpushedthestalkfarenoughdowntotwistitroundherhiding-place，toseeherplaywiththespikeletmoreorlesscontemptuouslyandpushitawaywithherlegs，withouttroublingtoretreattothebackofherlair。

’TheApulianpeasants，accordingtoBaglivi’s{4}account，alsohunttheTarantulabyimitatingthehummingofaninsectwithanoat-stalkattheentrancetoherburrow。Iquotethepassage:

’"Ruricolaenostriquandoeascaptarevolunt，adillorumlatibulaaccedunt，tenuisqueavenacaefistulaesonum，apummurmurinonabsimilem，modulantur。Quoaudito，feroxexitTarentulautmuscasvelaliahujusmodiinsecta，quorummurmuresseputat，captat；

captaturtamenistaarusticoinsidiatore。"{5}

"TheTarantula，sodreadfulatfirstsight，especiallywhenwearefilledwiththeideathatherbiteisdangerous，sofierceinappearance，isneverthelessquiteeasytotame，asIhaveoftenfoundbyexperiment。

’Onthe7thofMay1812，whileatValencia，inSpain，Icaughtafair-sizedmaleTarantula，withouthurtinghim，andimprisonedhiminaglassjar，withapapercoverinwhichIcutatrap-door。AtthebottomofthejarIputapaperbag，toserveashishabitualresidence。Iplacedthejaronatableinmybedroom，soastohavehimunderfrequentobservation。HesoongrewaccustomedtocaptivityandendedbybecomingsofamiliarthathewouldcomeandtakefrommyfingerstheliveFlywhichIgavehim。Afterkillinghisvictimwiththefangsofhismandibles，hewasnotsatisfied，likemostSpiders，tosuckherhead:hechewedherwholebody，shovingitpiecemealintohismouthwithhispalpi，afterwhichhethrewupthemasticatedtegumentsandsweptthemawayfromhislodging。

’Havingfinishedhismeal，henearlyalwaysmadehistoilet，whichconsistedinbrushinghispalpiandmandibles，bothinsideandout，withhisfronttarsi。Afterthat，heresumedhisairofmotionlessgravity。Theeveningandthenightwerehistimefortakinghiswalksabroad。Ioftenheardhimscratchingthepaperofthebag。

Thesehabitsconfirmtheopinion，whichIhavealreadyexpressedelsewhere，thatmostSpidershavethefacultyofseeingbydayandnight，likecats。

’Onthe28thofJune，myTarantulacasthisskin。Itwashislastmoultanddidnotperceptiblyaltereitherthecolourofhisattireorthedimensionsofhisbody。Onthe14thofJuly，IhadtoleaveValencia；andIstayedawayuntilthe23rd。Duringthistime，theTarantulafasted；Ifoundhimlookingquitewellonmyreturn。Onthe20thofAugust，Iagainleftforaninedays’absence，whichmyprisonerborewithoutfoodandwithoutdetrimenttohishealth。Onthe1stofOctober，IoncemoredesertedtheTarantula，leavinghimwithoutprovisions。Onthe21st，IwasfiftymilesfromValenciaand，asIintendedtoremainthere，Isentaservanttofetchhim。

Iwassorrytolearnthathewasnotfoundinthejar，andIneverheardwhatbecameofhim。

’IwillendmyobservationsontheTarantulaewithashortdescriptionofacuriousfightbetweenthoseanimals。Oneday，whenIhadhadasuccessfulhuntaftertheseLycosae，Ipickedouttwofull-grownandverypowerfulmalesandbroughtthemtogetherinawidejar，inordertoenjoythesightofacombattothedeath。

Afterwalkingroundthearenaseveraltimes，totryandavoideachother，theywerenotslowinplacingthemselvesinawarlikeattitude，asthoughatagivensignal。Isawthem，tomysurprise，taketheirdistancesandsitupsolemnlyontheirhind-legs，soasmutuallytopresenttheshieldoftheircheststoeachother。

Afterwatchingthemfacetofacelikethatfortwominutes，duringwhichtheyhaddoubtlessprovokedeachotherbyglancesthatescapedmyown，Isawthemflingthemselvesuponeachotheratthesametime，twistingtheirlegsroundeachotherandobstinatelystrugglingtobiteeachotherwiththefangsofthemandibles。

Whetherfromfatigueorfromconvention，thecombatwassuspended；

therewasafewseconds’truce；andeachathletemovedawayandresumedhisthreateningposture。Thiscircumstanceremindedmethat，inthestrangefightsbetweencats，therearealsosuspensionsofhostilities。ButthecontestwassoonrenewedbetweenmytwoTarantulaewithincreasedfierceness。Oneofthem，afterholdingvictoryinthebalanceforawhile，wasatlastthrownandreceivedamortalwoundinthehead。Hebecamethepreyoftheconqueror，whotoreopenhisskullanddevouredit。Afterthiscuriousduel，IkeptthevictoriousTarantulaaliveforseveralweeks。’

MydistrictdoesnotboasttheordinaryTarantula，theSpiderwhosehabitshavebeendescribedabovebytheWizardoftheLandes；butitpossessesanequivalentintheshapeoftheBlack-belliedTarantula，orNarbonneLycosa，halfthesizeoftheother，cladinblackvelvetonthelowersurface，especiallyunderthebelly，withbrownchevronsontheabdomenandgreyandwhiteringsaroundthelegs。Herfavouritehomeisthedry，pebblyground，coveredwithsun-scorchedthyme。Inmyharmas{6}laboratorytherearequitetwentyofthisSpider’sburrows。RarelydoIpassbyoneofthesehauntswithoutgivingaglancedownthepitwheregleam，likediamonds，thefourgreateyes，thefourtelescopes，ofthehermit。

Thefourothers，whicharemuchsmaller，arenotvisibleatthatdepth。

WouldIhavegreaterriches，Ihavebuttowalkahundredyardsfrommyhouse，ontheneighbouringplateau，onceashadyforest，todayadrearysolitudewheretheCricketbrowsesandtheWheat-earflitsfromstonetostone。Theloveoflucrehaslaidwastetheland。Becausewinepaidhandsomely，theypulleduptheforesttoplantthevine。ThencamethePhylloxera，thevine-stocksperishedandtheoncegreentable-landisnownomorethanadesolatestretchwhereafewtuftsofhardygrassessproutamongthepebbles。ThiswastelandistheLycosa’sparadise:inanhour’stime，ifneedwere，Ishoulddiscoverahundredburrowswithinalimitedrange。

Thesedwellingsarepitsaboutafootdeep，perpendicularatfirstandthenbentelbow-wise。Theaveragediameterisaninch。Ontheedgeoftheholestandsakerb，formedofstraw，bitsandscrapsofallsortsandevensmallpebbles，thesizeofahazel-nut。Thewholeiskeptinplaceandcementedwithsilk。Often，theSpiderconfinesherselftodrawingtogetherthedrybladesofthenearestgrass，whichshetiesdownwiththestrapsfromherspinnerets，withoutremovingthebladesfromthestems；often，also，sherejectsthisscaffoldinginfavourofamasonryconstructedofsmallstones。ThenatureofthekerbisdecidedbythenatureofthematerialswithintheLycosa’sreach，inthecloseneighbourhoodofthebuilding-yard。Thereisnoselection:everythingmeetswithapproval，providedthatitbenearathand。

Economyoftime，therefore，causesthedefensivewalltovarygreatlyasregardsitsconstituentelements。Theheightvariesalso。Oneenclosureisaturretaninchhigh；anotheramountstoamererim。Allhavetheirpartsboundfirmlytogetherwithsilk；

andallhavethesamewidthasthesubterraneanchannel，ofwhichtheyaretheextension。Thereisherenodifferenceindiameterbetweentheundergroundmanoranditsoutwork，nordowebehold，attheopening，theplatformwhichtheturretleavestogivefreeplaytotheItalianTarantula’slegs。TheBlack-belliedTarantula’sworktakestheformofawellsurmountedbyitskerb。

Whenthesoilisearthyandhomogeneous，thearchitecturaltypeisfreefromobstructionsandtheSpider’sdwellingisacylindricaltube；but，whenthesiteispebbly，theshapeismodifiedaccordingtotheexigenciesofthedigging。Inthesecondcase，thelairisoftenarough，windingcave，atintervalsalongwhoseinnerwallstickblocksofstoneavoidedintheprocessofexcavation。

Whetherregularorirregular，thehouseisplasteredtoacertaindepthwithacoatofsilk，whichpreventsearth-slipsandfacilitatesscalingwhenapromptexitisrequired。

Baglivi，inhisunsophisticatedLatin，teachesushowtocatchtheTarantula。Ibecamehisrusticusinsidiator；IwavedaspikeletattheentranceoftheburrowtoimitatethehummingofaBeeandattracttheattentionoftheLycosa，whorushesout，thinkingthatsheiscapturingaprey。Thismethoddidnotsucceedwithme。TheSpider，itistrue，leavesherremoteapartmentsandcomesalittlewayuptheverticaltubetoenquireintothesoundsatherdoor；

butthewilyanimalsoonscentsatrap；itremainsmotionlessatmid-heightand，attheleastalarm，goesdownagaintothebranchgallery，whereitisinvisible。

LeonDufour’sappearstomeabettermethodifitwereonlypracticableintheconditionswhereinIfindmyself。Todriveaknifequicklyintotheground，acrosstheburrow，soastocutofftheTarantula’sretreatwhensheisattractedbythespikeletandstandingontheupperfloor，wouldbeamanoeuvrecertainofsuccess，ifthesoilwerefavourable。Unfortunately，thisisnotsoinmycase:youmightaswelltrytodigaknifeintoablockoftufa。

Otherstratagemsbecomenecessary。Herearetwowhichweresuccessful:IrecommendthemtofutureTarantula-hunters。I

insertintotheburrow，asfardownasIcan，astalkwithafleshyspikelet，whichtheSpidercanbiteinto。Imoveandturnandtwistmybait。TheTarantula，whentouchedbytheintrudingbody，contemplatesself-defenceandbitesthespikelet。Aslightresistanceinformsmyfingersthattheanimalhasfallenintothetrapandseizedthetipofthestalkinitsfangs。Idrawittome，slowly，carefully；theSpiderhaulsfrombelow，plantingherlegsagainstthewall。Itcomes，itrises。IhideasbestImay，whentheSpiderenterstheperpendiculartunnel:ifshesawme，shewouldletgothebaitandslipdownagain。Ithusbringher，bydegrees，totheorifice。Thisisthedifficultmoment。IfI

continuethegentlemovement，theSpider，feelingherselfdraggedoutofherhome，wouldatoncerunbackindoors。Itisimpossibletogetthesuspiciousanimaloutbythismeans。Therefore，whenitappearsattheleveloftheground，Igiveasuddenpull。

Surprisedbythisfoulplay，theTarantulahasnotimetoreleaseherhold；grippingthespikelet，sheisthrownsomeinchesawayfromtheburrow。Hercapturenowbecomesaneasymatter。Outsideherownhouse，theLycosaistimid，asthoughscared，andhardlycapableofrunningaway。Topushherwithastrawintoapaperbagistheaffairofasecond。

ItrequiressomepatiencetobringtheTarantulawhohasbittenintotheinsidiousspikelettotheentranceoftheburrow。Thefollowingmethodisquicker:IprocureasupplyofliveBumble-

bees。Iputoneintoalittlebottlewithamouthjustwideenoughtocovertheopeningoftheburrow；andIturntheapparatusthusbaitedoverthesaidopening。ThepowerfulBeeatfirstfluttersandhumsaboutherglassprison；then，perceivingaburrowsimilartothatofherfamily，sheentersitwithoutmuchhesitation。Sheisextremelyill-advised:whileshegoesdown，theSpidercomesup；andthemeetingtakesplaceintheperpendicularpassage。Forafewmoments，theearperceivesasortofdeath-song:itisthehummingoftheBumble-bee，protestingagainstthereceptiongivenher。Thisisfollowedbyalongsilence。ThenIremovethebottleanddipalong-jawedforcepsintothepit。IwithdrawtheBumble-

bee，motionless，dead，withhangingproboscis。Aterribletragedymusthavehappened。TheSpiderfollows，refusingtoletgosorichabooty。Gameandhuntressarebroughttotheorifice。Sometimes，mistrustful，theLycosagoesinagain；butwehaveonlytoleavetheBumble-beeonthethresholdofthedoor，orevenafewinchesaway，toseeherreappear，issuefromherfortressanddaringlyrecaptureherprey。Thisisthemoment:thehouseisclosedwiththefinger，orapebbleand，asBaglivisays，’captaturtamenistaarusticoinsidiatore，’towhichIwilladd，’adjuvanteBombo。’{7}

TheobjectofthesehuntingmethodswasnotexactlytoobtainTarantulae；IhadnottheleastwishtoreartheSpiderinabottle。Iwasinterestedinadifferentmatter。Here，thoughtI，isanardenthuntress，livingsolelybyhertrade。Shedoesnotpreparepreservedfoodstuffsforheroffspring；{8}sheherselffeedsonthepreywhichshecatches。Sheisnota’paralyzer，’{9}

whocleverlysparesherquarrysoastoleaveitaglimmeroflifeandkeepitfreshforweeksatatime；sheisakiller，whomakesamealoffhercaptureonthespot。Withher，thereisnomethodicalvivisection，whichdestroysmovementwithoutentirelydestroyinglife，butabsolutedeath，assuddenaspossible，whichprotectstheassailantfromthecounter-attacksoftheassailed。

Hergame，moreover，isessentiallybulkyandnotalwaysofthemostpeacefulcharacter。ThisDiana，ambushedinhertower，needsapreyworthyofherprowess。ThebigGrass-hopper，withthepowerfuljaws；theirascibleWasp；theBee，theBumble-beeandotherwearersofpoisoneddaggersmustfallintotheambuscadefromtimetotime。Theduelisnearlyequalinpointofweapons。TothevenomousfangsoftheLycosatheWaspopposeshervenomousstiletto。Whichofthetwobanditsshallhavethebestofit？Thestruggleisahand-to-handone。TheTarantulahasnosecondarymeansofdefence，nocordtobindhervictim，notraptosubdueher。WhentheEpeira，orGardenSpider，seesaninsectentangledinhergreatuprightweb，shehastensupandcoversthecaptivewithcordedmeshesandsilkribbonsbythearmful，makingallresistanceimpossible。Whenthepreyissolidlybound，aprickiscarefullyadministeredwiththepoison-fangs；thentheSpiderretires，waitingforthedeath-throestocalmdown，afterwhichthehuntresscomesbacktothegame。Intheseconditions，thereisnoseriousdanger。

InthecaseoftheLycosa，thejobisriskier。Shehasnaughttoserveherbuthercourageandherfangsandisobligedtoleapupontheformidableprey，tomasteritbyherdexterity，toannihilateit，inameasure，byherswift-slayingtalent。

Annihilateistheword:theBumble-beeswhomIdrawfromthefatalholeareasufficientproof。Assoonasthatshrillbuzzing，whichIcalledthedeath-song，ceases，invainIhastentoinsertmyforceps:Ialwaysbringouttheinsectdead，withslackproboscisandlimplegs。Scarceafewquiversofthoselegstellmethatitisaquiterecentcorpse。TheBumble-bee’sdeathisinstantaneous。

EachtimethatItakeafreshvictimfromtheterribleslaughter-

house，mysurpriseisrenewedatthesightofitssuddenimmobility。

Nevertheless，bothanimalshaveverynearlythesamestrength；forIchoosemyBumble-beesfromamongthelargest(BombushortorumandB。terrestris)。Theirweaponsarealmostequal:theBee’sdartcanbearcomparisonwiththeSpider’sfangs；thestingofthefirstseemstomeasformidableasthebiteofthesecond。HowcomesitthattheTarantulaalwayshastheupperhandandthismoreoverinaveryshortconflict，whencesheemergesunscathed？Theremustcertainlybesomecunningstrategyonherpart。Subtlethoughherpoisonmaybe，Icannotbelievethatitsmereinjection，atanypointwhateverofthevictim，isenoughtoproducesopromptacatastrophe。Theill-famedrattle-snakedoesnotkillsoquickly，takeshourstoachievethatforwhichtheTarantuladoesnotrequireasecond。Wemust，therefore，lookforanexplanationofthissuddendeathtothevitalimportanceofthepointattackedbytheSpider，ratherthantothevirulenceofthepoison。

Whatisthispoint？ItisimpossibletorecognizeitontheBumble-bees。Theyentertheburrow；andthemurderiscommittedfarfromsight。Nordoesthelensdiscoveranywounduponthecorpse，sodelicatearetheweaponsthatproduceit。Onewouldhavetoseethetwoadversariesengageinadirectcontest。IhaveoftentriedtoplaceaTarantulaandaBumble-beefacetofaceinthesamebottle。Thetwoanimalsmutuallyfleeeachother，eachbeingasmuchupsetastheotheratitscaptivity。Ihavekeptthemtogetherfortwenty-fourhours，withoutaggressivedisplayoneitherside。Thinkingmoreoftheirprisonthanofattackingeachother，theytemporize，asthoughindifferent。Theexperimenthasalwaysbeenfruitless。IhavesucceededwithBeesandWasps，butthemurderhasbeencommittedatnightandhastaughtmenothing。

Iwouldfindbothinsects，nextmorning，reducedtoajellyundertheSpider’smandibles。AweakpreyisamouthfulwhichtheSpiderreservesforthecalmofthenight。Apreycapableofresistanceisnotattackedincaptivity。Theprisoner’sanxietycoolsthehunter’sardour。

Thearenaofalargebottleenableseachathletetokeepoutoftheother’sway，respectedbyheradversary，whoisrespectedinherturn。Letusreducethelists，diminishtheenclosure。IputBumble-beeandTarantulaintoatest-tubethathasonlyroomforoneatthebottom。Alivelybrawlensues，withoutseriousresults。

IftheBumble-beebeunderneath，sheliesdownonherbackandwithherlegswardsofftheotherasmuchasshecan。Idonotseeherdrawhersting。TheSpider，meanwhile，embracingthewholecircumferenceoftheenclosurewithherlonglegs，hoistsherselfalittleupontheslipperysurfaceandremovesherselfasfaraspossiblefromheradversary。There，motionless，sheawaitsevents，whicharesoondisturbedbythefussyBumble-bee。Shouldthelatteroccupytheupperposition，theTarantulaprotectsherselfbydrawingupherlegs，whichkeeptheenemyatadistance。Inshort，saveforsharpscuffleswhenthetwochampionsareintouch，nothinghappensthatdeservesattention。Thereisnodueltothedeathinthenarrowarenaofthetest-tube，anymorethaninthewiderlistsaffordedbythebottle。Utterlytimidoncesheisawayfromhome，theSpiderobstinatelyrefusesthebattle；norwilltheBumble-bee，giddythoughshebe，thinkofstrikingthefirstblow。

Iabandonexperimentsinmystudy。

WemustgodirecttothespotandforcetheduelupontheTarantula，whoisfullofpluckinherownstronghold。Only，insteadoftheBumble-bee，whoenterstheburrowandconcealsherdeathfromoureyes，itisnecessarytosubstituteanotheradversary，lessinclinedtopenetrateunderground。Thereaboundsinthegarden，atthismoment，ontheflowersofthecommonclary，oneofthelargestandmostpowerfulBeesthathauntmydistrict，theCarpenter-bee(Xylocopaviolacea)，cladinblackvelvet，withwingsofpurplegauze。Hersize，whichisnearlyaninch，exceedsthatoftheBumble-bee。Herstingisexcruciatingandproducesaswellingthatlongcontinuespainful。Ihaveveryexactmemoriesonthissubject，memoriesthathavecostmedear。HereindeedisanantagonistworthyoftheTarantula，ifIsucceedininducingtheSpidertoaccepther。Iplaceacertainnumber，onebyone，inbottlessmallincapacity，buthavingawideneckcapableofsurroundingtheentrancetotheburrow。

AsthepreywhichIamabouttoofferiscapableofoverawingthehuntress，IselectfromamongtheTarantulaethelustiest，theboldest，thosemoststimulatedbyhunger。Thespikeletedstalkispushedintotheburrow。WhentheSpiderhastensupatonce，whensheisofagoodsize，whensheclimbsboldlytotheapertureofherdwelling，sheisadmittedtothetourney；otherwise，sheisrefused。Thebottle，baitedwithaCarpenter-bee，isplacedupsidedownoverthedoorofoneoftheelect。TheBeebuzzesgravelyinherglassbell；thehuntressmountsfromtherecessesofthecave；

sheisonthethreshold，butinside；shelooks；shewaits。Ialsowait。Thequarters，thehalf-hourspass:nothing。TheSpidergoesdownagain:shehasprobablyjudgedtheattempttoodangerous。Imovetoasecond，athird，afourthburrow:stillnothing；thehuntressrefusestoleaveherlair。

Fortuneatlastsmilesuponmypatience，whichhasbeenheavilytriedbyalltheseprudentretreatsandparticularlybythefierceheatofthedog-days。ASpidersuddenlyrushesfromherhole:shehasbeenrenderedwarlike，doubtless，byprolongedabstinence。Thetragedythathappensunderthecoverofthebottlelastsforbutthetwinklingofaneye。Itisover:thesturdyCarpenter-beeisdead。Wheredidthemurderessstrikeher？Thatiseasilyascertained:theTarantulahasnotletgo；andherfangsareplantedinthenapeoftheneck。TheassassinhastheknowledgewhichIsuspected:shehasmadefortheessentiallyvitalcentre，shehasstungtheinsect’scervicalgangliawithherpoison-fangs。

Inshort，shehasbittentheonlypointalesioninwhichproducessuddendeath。Iwasdelightedwiththismurderousskill，whichmadeamendsfortheblisteringwhichmyskinreceivedinthesun。

Onceisnotcustom:oneswallowdoesnotmakeasummer。IswhatI

havejustseenduetoaccidentortopremeditation？IturntootherLycosae。Many，adealtoomanyformypatience，stubbornlyrefusetodartfromtheirhauntsinordertoattacktheCarpenter-

bee。Theformidablequarryistoomuchfortheirdaring。Shallnothunger，whichbringsthewolffromthewood，alsobringtheTarantulaoutofherhole？Two，apparentlymorefamishedthantherest，doatlastpounceupontheBeeandrepeatthesceneofmurderbeforemyeyes。Theprey，againbittenintheneck，exclusivelyintheneck，diesontheinstant。Threemurders，perpetratedinmypresenceunderidenticalconditions，representthefruitsofmyexperimentpursued，ontwooccasions，fromeighto’clockinthemorninguntiltwelvemidday。

Ihadseenenough。Thequickinsect-killerhadtaughtmehertradeashadtheparalyzer{10}beforeher:shehadshownmethatsheisthoroughlyversedintheartofthebutcherofthePampas。{11}

TheTarantulaisanaccomplisheddesnucador。Itremainedtometoconfirmtheopen-airexperimentwithexperimentsintheprivacyofmystudy。IthereforegottogetheramenagerieofthesepoisonousSpiders，soastojudgeofthevirulenceoftheirvenomanditseffectaccordingtothepartofthebodyinjuredbythefangs。A

dozenbottlesandtest-tubesreceivedtheprisoners，whomI

capturedbythemethodsknowntothereader。TooneinclinedtoscreamatthesightofaSpider，mystudy，filledwithodiousLycosae，wouldhavepresentedaveryuncannyappearance。

ThoughtheTarantulascornsorratherfearstoattackanadversaryplacedinherpresenceinabottle，shescarcelyhesitatestobitewhatisthrustbeneathherfangs。ItakeherbythethoraxwithmyforcepsandpresenttohermouththeanimalwhichIwishstung。

Forthwith，iftheSpiderbenotalreadytiredbyexperiments，thefangsareraisedandinserted。IfirsttriedtheeffectsofthebiteupontheCarpenter-bee。Whenstruckintheneck，theBeesuccumbsatonce。ItwasthelightningdeathwhichIwitnessedonthethresholdoftheburrows。Whenstruckintheabdomenandthenplacedinalargebottlethatleavesitsmovementsfree，theinsectseems，atfirst，tohavesufferednoseriousinjury。Itfluttersaboutandbuzzes。Buthalfanhourhasnotelapsedbeforedeathisimminent。Theinsectliesmotionlessuponitsbackorside。Atmost，afewmovementsofthelegs，aslightpulsationofthebelly，continuingtillthemorrow，proclaimthatlifehasnotyetentirelydeparted。Theneverythingceases:theCarpenter-beeisacorpse。

Theimportanceofthisexperimentcompelsourattention。Whenstungintheneck，thepowerfulBeediesonthespot；andtheSpiderhasnottofearthedangersofadesperatestruggle。Stungelsewhere，intheabdomen，theinsectiscapable，fornearlyhalfanhour，ofmakinguseofitsdart，itsmandibles，itslegs；andwoetotheLycosawhomthestilettoreaches。Ihaveseensomewho，stabbedinthemouthwhilebitingclosetothesting，diedofthewoundwithinthetwenty-fourhours。Thatdangerousprey，therefore，requiresinstantaneousdeath，producedbytheinjurytothenerve-centresoftheneck；otherwise，thehunter’slifewouldoftenbeinjeopardy。

TheGrasshopperordersuppliedmewithasecondseriesofvictims:

GreenGrasshoppersaslongasone’sfinger，large-headedLocusts，Ephippigerae。{12}Thesameresultfollowswhenthesearebittenintheneck:lightningdeath。Wheninjuredelsewhere，notablyintheabdomen，thesubjectoftheexperimentresistsforsometime。

IhaveseenaGrasshopper，bitteninthebelly，clingfirmlyforfifteenhourstothesmooth，uprightwalloftheglassbellthatconstitutedhisprison。Atlast，hedroppedoffanddied。WheretheBee，thatdelicateorganism，succumbsinlessthanhalfanhour，theGrasshopper，coarseruminantthatheis，resistsforawholeday。Putasidethesedifferences，causedbyunequaldegreesoforganicsensitiveness，andwesumupasfollows:whenbittenbytheTarantulaintheneck，aninsect，chosenfromamongthelargest，diesonthespot；whenbittenelsewhere，itperishesalso，butafteralapseoftimewhichvariesconsiderablyinthedifferententomologicalorders。

ThisexplainsthelonghesitationoftheTarantula，sowearisometotheexperimenterwhenhepresentstoher，attheentrancetotheburrow，arich，butdangerousprey。ThemajorityrefusetoflingthemselvesupontheCarpenter-bee。Thefactisthataquarryofthiskindcannotbeseizedrecklessly:thehuntresswhomissedherstrokebybitingatrandomwoulddosoattheriskofherlife。

Thenapeoftheneckalonepossessesthedesiredvulnerability。

Theadversarymustbenippedthereandnoelsewhere。Nottofloorheratoncewouldmeantoirritateherandmakehermoredangerousthanever。TheSpideriswellawareofthis。Inthesafeshelterofherthreshold，therefore，preparedtobeataquickretreatifnecessary，shewatchesforthefavourablemoment；shewaitsforthebigBeetofaceher，whentheneckiseasilygrabbed。Ifthisconditionofsuccessoffer，sheleapsoutandacts；ifnot，wearyoftheviolentevolutionsofthequarry，sheretiresindoors。Andthat，nodoubt，iswhyittookmetwosittingsoffourhoursapiecetowitnessthreeassassinations。

Formerly，instructedbytheparalysingWasps，Ihadmyselftriedtoproduceparalysisbyinjectingadropofammoniaintothethoraxofthoseinsects，suchasWeevils，Buprestes，{13}andDung-beetles，whosecompactnervoussystemassiststhisphysiologicaloperation。

Ishowedmyselfareadypupiltomymasters’teachingandusedtoparalyzeaBuprestisoraWeevilalmostaswellasaCerceris{14}

couldhavedone。WhyshouldInotto-dayimitatethatexpertbutcher，theTarantula？Withthepointofafineneedle，IinjectatinydropofammoniaatthebaseoftheskullofaCarpenter-beeoraGrasshopper。Theinsectsuccumbsthenandthere，withoutanyothermovementthanwildconvulsions。Whenattackedbytheacridfluid，thecervicalgangliaceasetodotheirwork；anddeathensues。Nevertheless，thisdeathisnotimmediate；thethroeslastforsometime。Theexperimentisnotwhollysatisfactoryasregardssuddenness。Why？BecausetheliquidwhichIemploy，ammonia，cannotbecompared，fordeadlyefficacy，withtheLycosa’spoison，aprettyformidablepoison，asweshallsee。

ImakeaTarantulabitethelegofayoung，well-fledgedSparrow，readytoleavethenest。Adropofbloodflows；thewoundedspotissurroundedbyareddishcircle，changingtopurple。Thebirdalmostimmediatelylosestheuseofitsleg，whichdrags，withthetoesdoubledin；ithopsupontheother。Apartfromthis，thepatientdoesnotseemtotroublemuchabouthishurt；hisappetiteisgood。MydaughtersfeedhimonFlies，bread-crumb，apricot-

pulp。Heissuretogetwell，hewillrecoverhisstrength；thepoorvictimofthecuriosityofsciencewillberestoredtoliberty。Thisisthewish，theintentionofusall。Twelvehourslater，thehopeofacureincreases；theinvalidtakesnourishmentreadily；heclamoursforit，ifwekeephimwaiting。Butthelegstilldrags。Isetthisdowntoatemporaryparalysiswhichwillsoondisappear。Twodaysafter，herefuseshisfood。Wrappinghimselfinhisstoicismandhisrumpledfeathers，theSparrowhunchesintoaball，nowmotionless，nowtwitching。Mygirlstakehiminthehollowoftheirhandsandwarmhimwiththeirbreath。

Thespasmsbecomemorefrequent。Agaspproclaimsthatallisover。Thebirdisdead。

Therewasacertaincoolnessamongusattheevening-meal。Ireadmutereproaches，becauseofmyexperiment，intheeyesofmyhome-

circle；Ireadanunspokenaccusationofcrueltyallaroundme。

ThedeathoftheunfortunateSparrowhadsaddenedthewholefamily。

Imyselfwasnotwithoutsomeremorseofconscience:thepoorresultachievedseemedtometoodearlybought。Iamnotmadeofthestuffofthosewho，withoutturningahair，ripupliveDogstofindoutnothinginparticular。

Nevertheless，Ihadthecouragetostartafresh，thistimeonaMolecaughtravagingabedoflettuces。Therewasadangerlestmycaptive，withhisfamishedstomach，shouldleavethingsindoubt，ifwehadtokeephimforafewdays。Hemightdienotofhiswound，butofinanition，ifIdidnotsucceedingivinghimsuitablefood，fairlyplentifulanddispensedatfairlyfrequentintervals。Inthatcase，Iranariskofascribingtothepoisonwhatmightwellbetheresultofstarvation。ImustthereforebeginbyfindingoutifitwaspossibleformetokeeptheMolealiveincaptivity。Theanimalwasputintoalargereceptaclefromwhichitcouldnotgetoutandfedonavarieddietofinsects——Beetles，Grasshoppers，especiallyCicadae{15}——whichitcrunchedupwithanexcellentappetite。Twenty-fourhoursofthisregimenconvincedmethattheMolewasmakingthebestofthebilloffareandtakingkindlytohiscaptivity。

ImaketheTarantulabitehimatthetipofthesnout。Whenreplacedinhiscage，theMolekeepsonscratchinghisnosewithhisbroadpaws。Thethingseemstoburn，toitch。Henceforth，lessandlessoftheprovisionofCicadaeisconsumed；ontheeveningofthefollowingday，itisrefusedaltogether。Aboutthirty-sixhoursafterbeingbitten，theMolediesduringthenightandcertainlynotfrominanition，fortherearestillhalfadozenliveCicadaeinthereceptacle，aswellasafewBeetles。

ThebiteoftheBlack-belliedTarantulaisthereforedangeroustootheranimalsthaninsects:itisfataltotheSparrow，itisfataltotheMole。Uptowhatpointarewetogeneralize？Idonotknow，becausemyenquiriesextendednofurther。Nevertheless，judgingfromthelittlethatIsaw，itappearstomethatthebiteofthisSpiderisnotanaccidentwhichmancanaffordtotreatlightly。ThisisallthatIhavetosaytothedoctors。

TothephilosophicalentomologistsIhavesomethingelsetosay:I

havetocalltheirattentiontotheconsummateknowledgeoftheinsect-killers，whichvieswiththatoftheparalyzers。Ispeakofinsect-killersintheplural，fortheTarantulamustshareherdeadlyartwithahostofotherSpiders，especiallywiththosewhohuntwithoutnets。Theseinsect-killers，wholiveontheirprey，strikethegamedeadinstantaneouslybystingingthenerve-centresoftheneck；theparalyzers，ontheotherhand，whowishtokeepthefoodfreshfortheirlarvae，destroythepowerofmovementbystingingthegameintheothernerve-centres。Bothofthemattackthenervouschain，buttheyselectthepointaccordingtotheobjecttobeattained。Ifdeathbedesired，suddendeath，freefromdangertothehuntress，theinsectisattackedintheneck；ifmereparalysisberequired，theneckisrespectedandthelowersegments——sometimesonealone，sometimesthree，sometimesallornearlyall，accordingtothespecialorganizationofthevictim——

receivethedagger-thrust。

Eventheparalyzers，atleastsomeofthem，areacquaintedwiththeimmensevitalimportanceofthenerve-centresoftheneck。WehaveseentheHairyAmmophilamunchingthecaterpillar’sbrain，theLanguedocianSphexmunchingthebrainoftheEphippigera，withtheobjectofinducingapassingtorpor。Buttheysimplysqueezethebrainanddoeventhiswithawisediscretion；theyarecarefulnottodrivetheirstingintothisfundamentalcentreoflife；notoneofthemeverthinksofdoingso，fortheresultwouldbeacorpsewhichthelarvawoulddespise。TheSpider，ontheotherhand，insertsherdoubledirkthereandtherealone；anyelsewhereitwouldinflictawoundlikelytoincreaseresistancethroughirritation。Shewantsavenisonforconsumptionwithoutdelayandbrutallythrustsherfangsintothespotwhichtheotherssoconscientiouslyrespect。

Iftheinstinctofthesescientificmurderersisnot，inbothcases，aninbornpredisposition，inseparablefromtheanimal，butanacquiredhabit，thenIrackmybraininvaintounderstandhowthathabitcanhavebeenacquired。Shroudthesefactsintheoreticmistsasmuchasyouwill，youshallneversucceedinveilingtheglaringevidencewhichtheyaffordofapre-establishedorderofthings。

CHAPTERII:THEBANDEDEPEIRA

Intheinclementseasonoftheyear，whentheinsecthasnothingtodoandretirestowinterquarters，theobserverprofitsbythemildnessofthesunnynooksandgrubsinthesand，liftsthestones，searchesthebrushwood；andoftenheisstirredwithapleasurableexcitement，whenhelightsuponsomeingeniousworkofart，discoveredunawares。Happyarethesimpleofheartwhoseambitionissatisfiedwithsuchtreasure-trove！Iwishthemallthejoyswhichithasbroughtmeandwhichitwillcontinuetobringme，despitethevexationsoflife，whichgrowevermorebitterastheyearsfollowtheirswiftdownwardcourse。

Shouldtheseekersrummageamongthewildgrassesintheosier-bedsandcopses，Iwishthemthedelightoffindingthewonderfulobjectthat，atthismoment，liesbeforemyeyes。ItistheworkofaSpider，thenestoftheBandedEpeira(Epeirafasciata，LATR。)。

ASpiderisnotaninsect，accordingtotherulesofclassification；andassuchtheEpeiraseemsoutofplacehere。

{16}Afigforsystems！Itisimmaterialtothestudentofinstinctwhethertheanimalhaveeightlegsinsteadofsix，orpulmonarysacsinsteadofair-tubes。Besides，theAraneidabelongtothegroupofsegmentedanimals，organizedinsectionsplacedendtoend，astructuretowhichtheterms’insect’and’entomology’

bothrefer。

Formerly，todescribethisgroup，peoplesaid’articulateanimals，’

anexpressionwhichpossessedthedrawbackofnotjarringontheearandofbeingunderstoodbyall。Thisisoutofdate。

Nowadays，theyusetheeuphoniousterm’Arthropoda。’Andtothinkthattherearemenwhoquestiontheexistenceofprogress！

Infidels！Say，’articulate，’first；thenrollout，’Arthropoda；’

andyoushallseewhetherzoologicalscienceisnotprogressing！

Inbearingandcolouring，EpeirafasciataisthehandsomestoftheSpidersoftheSouth。Onherfatbelly，amightysilk-warehousenearlyaslargeasahazel-nut，arealternateyellow，blackandsilversashes，towhichsheowesherepithetofBanded。Aroundthatportlyabdomen，theeightlonglegs，withtheirdark-andpale-brownrings，radiatelikespokes。

Anysmallpreysuitsher；and，aslongasshecanfindsupportsforherweb，shesettleswherevertheLocusthops，wherevertheFlyhovers，wherevertheDragon-flydancesortheButterflyflits。Asarule，becauseofthegreaterabundanceofgame，shespreadshertoilsacrosssomebrooklet，frombanktobankamongtherushes。

Shealsostretchesthem，butnotassiduously，inthethicketsofevergreenoak，ontheslopeswiththescrubbygreenswards，deartotheGrasshoppers。

Herhunting-weaponisalargeuprightweb，whoseouterboundary，whichvariesaccordingtothedispositionoftheground，isfastenedtotheneighbouringbranchesbyanumberofmoorings。ThestructureisthatadoptedbytheotherweavingSpiders。Straightthreadsradiateatequalintervalsfromacentralpoint。Overthisframeworkrunsacontinuousspiralthread，formingchords，orcrossbars，fromthecentretothecircumference。Itismagnificentlylargeandmagnificentlysymmetrical。

Inthelowerpartoftheweb，startingfromthecentre，awideopaqueribbondescendszigzag-wiseacrosstheradii。ThisistheEpeira’strade-mark，theflourishofanartistinitiallinghiscreation。’FecitSo-and-so，’sheseemstosay，whengivingthelastthrowoftheshuttletoherhandiwork。

ThattheSpiderfeelssatisfiedwhen，afterpassingandrepassingfromspoketospoke，shefinishesherspiral，isbeyondadoubt:

theworkachievedensuresherfoodforafewdaystocome。But，inthisparticularcase，thevanityofthespinstresshasnaughttosaytothematter:thestrongsilkzigzagisaddedtoimpartgreaterfirmnesstotheweb。

Increasedresistanceisnotsuperfluous，forthenetissometimesexposedtoseveretests。TheEpeiracannotpickandchooseherprizes。Seatedmotionlessinthecentreofherweb，hereightlegswidespreadtofeeltheshakingofthenetworkinanydirection，shewaitsforwhatluckwillbringher:nowsomegiddyweaklingunabletocontrolitsflight，anonsomepowerfulpreyrushingheadlongwitharecklessbound。

TheLocustinparticular，thefieryLocust，whoreleasesthespringofhislongshanksatrandom，oftenfallsintothetrap。OneimaginesthathisstrengthoughttofrightentheSpider；thekickofhisspurredleversshouldenablehimtomakeahole，thenandthere，inthewebandtogetaway。Butnotatall。Ifhedoesnotfreehimselfatthefirsteffort，theLocustislost。

Turningherbackonthegame，theEpeiraworksallherspinnerets，piercedliketheroseofawatering-pot，atoneandthesametime。

Thesilkysprayisgatheredbythehind-legs，whicharelongerthantheothersandopenintoawidearctoallowthestreamtospread。

Thankstothisartifice，theEpeirathistimeobtainsnotathread，butaniridescentsheet，asortofcloudedfanwhereinthecomponentthreadsarekeptalmostseparate。Thetwohind-legsflingthisshroudgradually，byrapidalternatearmfuls，while，atthesametime，theyturnthepreyoverandover，swathingitcompletely。

Theancientretiarius，whenpittedagainstapowerfulwildbeast，appearedinthearenawitharope-netfoldedoverhisleftshoulder。Theanimalmadeitsspring。Theman，withasuddenmovementofhisrightarm，castthenetafterthemannerofthefishermen；hecoveredthebeastandtangleditinthemeshes。A

thrustofthetridentgavethequietustothevanquishedfoe。

TheEpeiraactsinlikefashion，withthisadvantage，thatsheisabletorenewherarmfuloffetters。Shouldthefirstnotsuffice，asecondinstantlyfollowsandanotherandyetanother，untilthereservesofsilkbecomeexhausted。

Whenallmovementceasesunderthesnowywinding-sheet，theSpidergoesuptoherboundprisoner。Shehasabetterweaponthanthebestiarius’trident:shehasherpoison-fangs。ShegnawsattheLocust，withoutunduepersistence，andthenwithdraws，leavingthetorpidpatienttopineaway。

Soonshecomesbacktohermotionlessheadofgame:shesucksit，drainsit，repeatedlychangingherpointofattack。Atlast，theclean-bledremainsareflungoutofthenetandtheSpiderreturnstoherambushinthecentreoftheweb。

WhattheEpeirasucksisnotacorpse，butanumbedbody。IfI

removetheLocustimmediatelyafterhehasbeenbittenandreleasehimfromthesilkensheath，thepatientrecovershisstrengthtosuchanextentthatheseems，atfirst，tohavesufferednoinjury。

TheSpider，therefore，doesnotkillhercapturebeforesuckingitsjuices；sheiscontenttodepriveitofthepowerofmotionbyproducingastateoftorpor。Perhapsthiskindlierbitegiveshergreaterfacilityinworkingherpump。Thehumours，ifstagnant，inacorpse，wouldnotrespondsoreadilytotheactionofthesucker；

theyaremoreeasilyextractedfromalivebody，inwhichtheymoveabout。

TheEpeira，therefore，beingadrinkerofblood，moderatesthevirulenceofhersting，evenwithvictimsofappallingsize，sosureissheofherretiarianart。Thelong-leggedTryxalis，{17}

thecorpulentGreyLocust，thelargestofourGrasshoppersareacceptedwithouthesitationandsuckeddryassoonasnumbed。

Thosegiants，capableofmakingaholeinthenetandpassingthroughitintheirimpetuousonrush，canbebutrarelycaught。I

myselfplacethemontheweb。TheSpiderdoestherest。Lavishinghersilkyspray，sheswathesthemandthensucksthebodyatherease。Withanincreasedexpenditureofthespinnerets，theverybiggestgameismasteredassuccessfullyastheeverydayprey。

Ihaveseenevenbetterthanthat。Thistime，mysubjectistheSilkyEpeira(Epeirasericea，OLIV。)，withabroad，festooned，silveryabdomen。Likethatoftheother，herwebislarge，uprightand’signed’withazigzagribbon。IplaceuponitaPrayingMantis，{18}awell-developedspecimen，quitecapableofchangingroles，shouldcircumstancespermit，andherselfmakingamealoffherassailant。ItisaquestionnolongerofcapturingapeacefulLocust，butafierceandpowerfulogre，whowouldripopentheEpeira’spaunchwithoneblowofherharpoons。

WilltheSpiderdare？Notimmediately。Motionlessinthecentreofhernet，sheconsultsherstrengthbeforeattackingtheformidablequarry；shewaitsuntilthestrugglingpreyhasitsclawsmorethicklyentangled。Atlast，sheapproaches。TheMantiscurlsherbelly；liftsherwingslikeverticalsails；openshersaw-toothedarm-pieces；inshort，adoptsthespectralattitudewhichsheemployswhendeliveringbattle。

TheSpiderdisregardsthesemenaces。Spreadingwideherspinnerets，shepumpsoutsheetsofsilkwhichthehind-legsdrawout，expandandflingwithoutstintinalternatearmfuls。Underthisshowerofthreads，theMantis’terriblesaws，thelethallegs，quicklydisappearfromsight，asdothewings，stillerectedinthespectralposture。

Meanwhile，theswathedonegivessuddenjerks，whichmaketheSpiderfalloutofherweb。Theaccidentisprovidedfor。A

safety-cord，emittedatthesameinstantbythespinnerets，keepstheEpeirahanging，swinginginspace。Whencalmisrestored，shepackshercordandclimbsupagain。Theheavypaunchandthehind-

legsarenowbound。Theflowslackens，thesilkcomesonlyinthinsheets。Fortunately，thebusinessisdone。Thepreyisinvisibleunderthethickshroud。

TheSpiderretireswithoutgivingabite。Tomastertheterriblequarry，shehasspentthewholereservesofherspinning-mill，enoughtoweavemanygood-sizedwebs。Withthisheapofshackles，furtherprecautionsaresuperfluous。

Afterashortrestinthecentreofthenet，shecomesdowntodinner。Slightincisionsaremadeindifferentpartsoftheprize，nowhere，nowthere；andtheSpiderputshermouthtoeachandsucksthebloodofherprey。Themealislongprotracted，sorichisthedish。Fortenhours，Iwatchtheinsatiableglutton，whochangesherpointofattackaseachwoundsuckeddriesup。Nightcomesandrobsmeofthefinishoftheunbridleddebauch。Nextmorning，thedrainedMantisliesupontheground。TheAntsareeagerlydevouringtheremains。

TheeminenttalentsoftheEpeiraearedisplayedtoevenbetterpurposeintheindustrialbusinessofmotherhoodthanintheartofthechase。Thesilkbag，thenest，inwhichtheBandedEpeirahouseshereggs，isamuchgreatermarvelthanthebird’snest。Inshape，itisaninvertedballoon，nearlythesizeofaPigeon’segg。Thetoptaperslikeapearandiscutshortandcrownedwithascallopedrim，thecornersofwhicharelengthenedbymeansofmooringsthatfastentheobjecttotheadjoiningtwigs。Thewhole，agracefulovoid，hangsstraightdown，amidafewthreadsthatsteadyit。

Thetopishollowedintoacraterclosedwithasilkypadding。

Everyotherpartiscontainedinthegeneralwrapper，formedofthick，compactwhitesatin，difficulttobreakandimpervioustomoisture。Brownandevenblacksilk，laidoutinabroadribbons，inspindle-shapedpatterns，infancifulmeridianwaves，adornstheupperportionoftheexterior。Thepartplayedbythisfabricisself-evident:itisawaterproofcoverwhichneitherdewnorraincanpenetrate。

Exposedtoalltheinclemenciesoftheweather，amongthedeadgrasses，closetotheground，theEpeira’snesthasalsotoprotectitscontentsfromthewintercold。Letuscutthewrapperwithourscissors。Underneath，wefindathicklayerofreddish-brownsilk，notworkedintoafabricthistime，butpuffedintoanextra-finewadding。Itisafleecycloud，anincomparablequilt，softerthananyswan’s-down。Thisisthescreensetupagainstlossofheat。

Andwhatdoesthiscosymassprotect？See:inthemiddleoftheeiderdownhangsacylindricalpocket，roundatthebottom，cutsquareatthetopandclosedwithapaddedlid。Itismadeofextremelyfinesatin；itcontainstheEpeira’seggs，prettylittleorange-colouredbeads，which，gluedtogether，formaglobulethesizeofapea。Thisisthetreasuretobedefendedagainsttheasperitiesofthewinter。

Nowthatweknowthestructureofthework，letustrytoseeinwhatmannerthespinstresssetsaboutit。Theobservationisnotaneasyone，fortheBandedEpeiraisanight-worker。Sheneedsnocturnalquietinordernottogoastrayamidthecomplicatedrulesthatguideherindustry。Nowandagain，atveryearlyhoursinthemorning，Ihavehappenedtocatchherworking，whichenablesmetosumuptheprogressoftheoperations。

Mysubjectsarebusyintheirbell-shapedcages，ataboutthemiddleofAugust。Ascaffoldingisfirstrunup，atthetopofthedome；itconsistsofafewstretchedthreads。ThewiretrellisrepresentsthetwigsandthebladesofgrasswhichtheSpider，ifatliberty，wouldhaveusedassuspension-points。Theloomworksonthisshakysupport。TheEpeiradoesnotseewhatsheisdoing；

sheturnsherbackonhertask。Themachineryissowellputtogetherthatthewholethinggoesautomatically。

Thetipoftheabdomensways，alittletotheright，alittletotheleft，risesandfalls，whiletheSpidermovesslowlyroundandround。Thethreadpaidoutissingle。Thehind-legsdrawitoutandplaceitinpositiononthatwhichisalreadydone。Thusisformedasatinreceptacletherimofwhichisgraduallyraiseduntilitbecomesabagaboutacentimetredeep。{39}Thetextureisofthedaintiest。Guy-ropesbindittothenearestthreadsandkeepitstretched，especiallyatthemouth。

Thenthespinneretstakearestandtheturnoftheovariescomes。

Acontinuousshowerofeggsfallsintothebag，whichisfilledtothetop。Thecapacityofthereceptaclehasbeensonicelycalculatedthatthereisroomforalltheeggs，withoutleavinganyspaceunoccupied。WhentheSpiderhasfinishedandretires，I

catchamomentaryglimpseoftheheapoforange-colouredeggs；buttheworkofthespinneretsisatonceresumed。

Thenextbusinessistoclosethebag。Themachineryworksalittledifferently。Thetipofthebellynolongerswaysfromsidetoside。Itsinksandtouchesapoint；itretreats，sinksagainandtouchesanotherpoint，firsthere，thenthere，describinginextricablezigzags。Atthesametime，thehind-legstreadthematerialemitted。Theresultisnolongerastuff，butafelt，ablanketing。

Aroundthesatincapsule，whichcontainstheeggs，istheeiderdowndestinedtokeepoutthecold。Theyoungsterswillbideforsometimeinthissoftshelter，tostrengthentheirjointsandprepareforthefinalexodus。Itdoesnottakelongtomake。Thespinning-millsuddenlyalterstherawmaterial:itwasturningoutwhitesilk；itnowfurnishesreddish-brownsilk，finerthantheotherandissuingincloudswhichthehind-legs，thosedexterouscarders，beatintoasortoffroth。Theegg-pocketdisappears，drownedinthisexquisitewadding。

Theballoon-shapeisalreadyoutlined；thetopoftheworktaperstoaneck。TheSpider，movingupanddown，tackingfirsttoonesideandthentotheother，fromtheveryfirstspraymarksoutthegracefulformasaccuratelyasthoughshecarriedacompassinherabdomen。

Then，onceagain，withthesamesuddenness，thematerialchanges。

Thewhitesilkreappears，wroughtintothread。Thisisthemomenttoweavetheouterwrapper。Becauseofthethicknessofthestuffandthedensityofitstexture，thisoperationisthelongestoftheseries。

First，afewthreadsareflungout，hitherandthither，tokeepthelayerofwaddinginposition。TheEpeiratakesspecialpainswiththeedgeoftheneck，whereshefashionsanindentedborder，theanglesofwhich，prolongedwithcordsorlines，formthemainsupportofthebuilding。Thespinneretsnevertouchthispartwithoutgivingit，eachtime，untiltheendofthework，acertainaddedsolidity，necessarytosecurethestabilityoftheballoon。

Thesuspensoryindentationssoonoutlineacraterwhichneedsplugging。TheSpiderclosesthebagwithapaddedstoppersimilartothatwithwhichshesealedtheegg-pocket。

Whenthesearrangementsaremade，therealmanufactureofthewrapperbegins。TheSpidergoesbackwardsandforwards，turnsandturnsagain。Thespinneretsdonottouchthefabric。Witharhythmical，alternatemovement，thehind-legs，thesoleimplementsemployed，drawthethread，seizeitintheircombsandapplyittothework，whilethetipoftheabdomenswaysmethodicallytoandfro。

Inthisway，thesilkenfibreisdistributedinanevenzigzag，ofalmostgeometricalprecisionandcomparablewiththatofthecottonthreadwhichthemachinesinourfactoriesrollsoneatlyintoballs。Andthisisrepeatedalloverthesurfaceofthework，fortheSpidershiftsherpositionalittleateverymoment。

Atfairlyfrequentintervals，thetipoftheabdomenisliftedtothemouthoftheballoon；andthenthespinneretsreallytouchthefringededge。Thelengthofcontactisevenconsiderable。Wefind，therefore，thatthethreadisstuckinthisstar-shapedfringe，thefoundationofthebuildingandthecruxofthewhole，whileeveryelsewhereitissimplylaidon，inamannerdeterminedbythemovementsofthehind-legs。Ifwewishedtounwindthework，thethreadwouldbreakatthemargin；atanyotherpoint，itwouldunroll。

TheEpeiraendsherwebwithadead-white，angularflourish；sheendshernestwithbrownmouldings，whichrundown，irregularly，fromthemarginaljunctiontothebulgingmiddle。Forthispurpose，shemakesuse，forthethirdtime，ofadifferentsilk；

shenowproducessilkofadarkhue，varyingfromrussettoblack。

Thespinneretsdistributethematerialwithawidelongitudinalswing，frompoletopole；andthehind-legsapplyitincapriciousribbons。Whenthisisdone，theworkisfinished。TheSpidermovesawaywithslowstrides，withoutgivingaglanceatthebag。

Therestdoesnotinteresther:timeandthesunwillseetoit。

Shefeltherhourathandandcamedownfromherweb。Nearby，intherankgrass，shewovethetabernacleofheroffspringand，insodoing，drainedherresources。Toresumeherhunting-post，toreturntoherwebwouldbeuselesstoher:shehasnotthewherewithaltobindtheprey。Besides，thefineappetiteofformerdayshasgone。Witheredandlanguid，shedragsoutherexistenceforafewdaysand，atlast，dies。Thisishowthingshappeninmycages；thisishowtheymusthappeninthebrushwood。

TheSilkyEpeira(Epeirasericea，OLIV。)excelstheBandedEpeirainthemanufactureofbighunting-nets，butsheislessgiftedintheartofnest-building。Shegiveshernesttheinelegantformofanobtusecone。Theopeningofthispocketisverywideandisscallopedintolobesbywhichtheedificeisslung。Itisclosedwithalargelid，halfsatin，halfswan’s-down。Therestisastoutwhitefabric，frequentlycoveredwithirregularbrownstreaks。

ThedifferencebetweentheworkofthetwoEpeiraedoesnotextendbeyondthewrapper，whichisanobtuseconeintheonecaseandaballoonintheother。Thesameinternalarrangementsprevailbehindthisfrontage:first，aflossyquilt；next，alittlekeginwhichtheeggsarepacked。ThoughthetwoSpidersbuildtheouterwallaccordingtospecialarchitecturalrules，theybothemploythesamemeansasaprotectionagainstthecold。

Aswesee，theegg-bagoftheEpeirae，particularlythatoftheBandedEpeira，isanimportantandcomplexwork。Variousmaterialsenterintoitscomposition:whitesilk，redsilk，brownsilk；

moreover，thesematerialsareworkedintodissimilarproducts:

stoutcloth，softeiderdown，daintysatinette，porousfelt。Andallofthiscomesfromthesameworkshopthatweavesthehunting-

net，warpsthezigzagribbon-bandandcastsanentanglingshroudovertheprey。

Whatawonderfulsilk-factoryitis！Withaverysimpleandnever-

varyingplant，consistingofthehind-legsandthespinnerets，itproduces，byturns，rope-maker’s，spinner’s，weaver’s，ribbon-

maker’sandfuller’swork。HowdoestheSpiderdirectanestablishmentofthiskind？Howdoessheobtain，atwill，skeinsofdiversehuesandgrades？Howdoessheturnthemout，firstinthisfashion，theninthat？Iseetheresults，butIdonotunderstandthemachineryandstilllesstheprocess。Itbeatsmealtogether。

TheSpideralsosometimeslosesherheadinherdifficulttrade，whensometroubledisturbsthepeaceofhernocturnallabours。I

donotprovokethistroublemyself，forIamnotpresentatthoseunseasonablehours。Itissimplyduetotheconditionsprevailinginmymenagerie。

Intheirnaturalstate，theEpeiraesettleseparately，atlongdistancesfromoneanother。Eachhasherownhunting-grounds，wherethereisnoreasontofearthecompetitionthatwouldresultfromthecloseproximityofthenets。Inmycages，ontheotherhand，thereiscohabitation。Inordertosavespace，IlodgetwoorthreeEpeiraeinthesamecage。Myeasy-goingcaptiveslivetogetherinpeace。Thereisnostrifebetweenthem，noencroachingontheneighbour’sproperty。Eachofthemweavesherselfarudimentaryweb，asfarfromtherestaspossible，andhere，raptincontemplation，asthoughindifferenttowhattheothersaredoing，sheawaitsthehopoftheLocust。

Nevertheless，theseclosequartershavetheirdrawbackswhenlaying-timearrives。Thecordsbywhichthedifferentestablishmentsarehunginterlaceandcriss-crossinaconfusednetwork。Whenoneofthemshakes，alltheothersaremoreorlessaffected。Thisisenoughtodistractthelayerfromherbusinessandtomakeherdosillythings。Herearetwoinstances。

Abaghasbeenwovenduringthenight。Ifindit，whenIvisitthecageinthemorning，hangingfromthetrellis-workandcompleted。

Itisperfect，asregardsstructure；itisdecoratedwiththeregulationblackmeridiancurves。Thereisnothingmissing，nothingexcepttheessentialthing，theeggs，forwhichthespinstresshasgonetosuchexpenseinthematterofsilks。Wherearetheeggs？Theyarenotinthebag，whichIopenandfindempty。Theyarelyingonthegroundbelow，onthesandinthepan，utterlyunprotected。